State Senate's GOP Leader Brings Budget Talk To Bristol

BRISTOL — — Senate Minority Leader John McKinney is scheduled to bring his "Fiscal Responsibility" road tour to the city on Thursday, and the economic health of hospitals is likely to be a hot topic.

McKinney has scheduled public meetings in eight towns and cities in an effort to sway opinion against Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's proposed budget.

The Democratic governor has put forward a $43.8 billion, two-year budget plan. McKinney has denounced it as "dishonest" and "a shell game." McKinney and the legislature's Republican minority hope to influence behind-the-scenes budget negotiations between Malloy and top Democratic legislative leaders, but it will be late spring before the outcome is known.

At McKinney's session in Bristol, he will be accompanied by Sen. Jason Welch, R-Bristol, and Rep. Whit Betts, R-Bristol, who are expected to join him in warning that Malloy's plan would damage community hospitals.

The Connecticut Hospital Association says the governor's proposal would reduce state payments to hospitals by roughly $500 million over the next two years. That would cost Bristol Hospital about $3.1 million and cause program cuts and layoffs, said President Kurt Barwis.

"In Bristol we are dealing with the potential for savage cuts to our community hospital," Welch said in a statement. "Bristol Hospital is central to this community. The governor's proposed budget slashes nearly $500 million to hospitals around the state. This is not only unfair, it's a threat to jobs, community and the public health."

Betts contends that Malloy chose the wrong place to reduce expenses, saying "Either health care is a priority or it isn't."

Republicans also may raise Malloy's controversial car tax proposal at the Bristol meeting. The governor wants to eliminate the car tax on vehicles with assessed values below $28,500, a move that has been criticized by many mayors and first selectmen — including some Democrats.

But at a recent appearance in New Britain, Malloy defended the proposal, saying car owners are subject to the most unfair tax in the state. The owners of identical vehicles pay widely differing taxes depending on where they live, a system that simply makes no sense, Malloy said.

McKinney, who is considering a run for governor, has said he wants to hear public opinion about government programs, taxes and spending at his forums. The Bristol session is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the public library at 5 High St.